…Only 46.45% of Schools Collaborate with Parents on Digital Safety—Leaving Children Exposed
A groundbreaking study by the Ghana Internet Safety Foundation (GISF) has exposed a major failure in the collective responsibility to protect children online.
The findings reveal a staggering lack of parental involvement in digital safety education, with only 18.18% of schools actively engaging parents in safeguarding students from online threats.
This alarming gap leaves children vulnerable to cyberbullying, online predators, and harmful content, as schools struggle to extend digital safety education beyond the classroom.
The study, conducted under GISF’s Cybersafety Ambassadorial & Digital Parenting Empowerment Project, highlights the urgent need for schools and parents to form a united front in protecting children in an increasingly digital world.
Schools Are Trying—But Without Parents, It’s Not Enough
According to the study, 81.48% of schools include online safety in their curriculum, but these efforts are severely weakened by a lack of parental reinforcement at home.
“Parents and schools must join forces to shield our children from the dangers of the digital world,” stressed Emmanuel Adinkrah, CEO of GISF.
“Online safety education cannot stop at the classroom door. Parents must be empowered to take an active role in protecting their children online. This is a shared responsibility, and we can no longer afford to ignore the gaps in collaboration between educators and families.”
A Crisis Worsened by Socioeconomic Barriers
The study also reveals that socioeconomic disparities deepen the problem, as many low-income parents lack the knowledge or resources to discuss digital safety with their children.
“As a parent, I often feel lost when it comes to keeping my children safe online,” admitted Mary Agyemang, a mother of three from Accra.
“I don’t even know where to start when they ask questions about what they see on the internet. Schools should do more to involve us and guide us in protecting our children.”
Teachers share similar concerns, emphasizing that without parental reinforcement, digital safety lessons fall short.
“We teach online safety in school, but if parents aren’t involved, it’s difficult to ensure that children apply these lessons at home,” explained Kwame Appiah, a junior high school teacher in Kumasi.
“Schools and families must work together if we are serious about protecting children online.”
Experts Demand Urgent Action
To bridge the gap, experts are calling for community workshops, parent-focused training programs, and digital literacy initiatives tailored to different socioeconomic backgrounds.
“Empowering parents with the right skills and resources is crucial to creating a safer digital environment for all children,” added Adinkrah.
GISF’s report urges policymakers, educators, and community leaders to make parental involvement a top priority in online safety programs.
The foundation is advocating for schools to integrate structured parent engagement strategies into their digital safety initiatives—stressing that collaborative efforts are essential in protecting children from online harm.
Time for Action: Schools and Parents Must Unite
As Ghana continues to embrace the digital age, the need for schools and parents to work hand in hand to protect children online has never been more urgent.
GISF’s findings serve as a wake-up call for stakeholders to address this critical failure and adopt a shared responsibility approach to online safety.
Call to Action:
To learn more about the study or get involved in GISF’s initiatives, visit www.gisfoundation.com or follow GISF on social media for updates.
